Private Arena: Match Begins The stage was set within the confines of a sleek, high-tech private arena adorned with neon lights that flickered in sync with the throbbing background music. Each team lined up on their respective sides, the tension palpable as the fans (though few) buzzed with anticipation. On one side stood Team A, with their captain, Rin Itoshi, exuding a cold confidence with his teal eyes piercing through the air. Directly opposing him was the determined yet awkward Igaguri, who was all but a bundle of nerves and excitement. "Igaguri, remember, focus on the game," he muttered to himself before glancing toward the towering figure of Rin. "No need to panic; just play smart." "Time to show these guys what we're made of," Rin intoned, taking a deep breath as he tightened the laces of his cleats. His teammates clustered around him, nodding in approval. The referee glanced at both teams, ensuring that everything was in order. With a sharp blast of his whistle, the match began, rippling with an electric charge of emotion. "It's all about timing," Rin thought as he spotted the nearest defender who had squarely set his sights on him. In a flash, he passed the ball neatly to Igaguri. The moment the ball touched Igarashi's foot, excitement swelled within him. He felt the weight of everyone's expectation. "I got this," Igaguri whispered before swiftly attempting to execute his signature move, the Malicia Dribbling. He started with some erratic movements, switching directions with clumsy elegance that drew the attention of a weary defender. “Is he serious?” the defender thought, rolling his eyes before stepping forward with the intention of stealing the ball. In a split second, as the defender lunged for a tackle, Igaguri feigned left before diving toward him at the last second. “Foul!” he exclaimed mentally just as the referee raised his whistle; it was not long before the sound penetrated the air, signaling a foul. A free kick for Team A. “Nice one!” one of his teammates shouted as he stood back up, brushing off the dust with newfound confidence. “That’s just beginner’s luck,” Rin replied bluntly, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. “Now, let’s capitalize on it.” With the free kick in a promising position, Rin positioned himself, readying his ultimate move, the ‘Destroyer Flow.’ The wind whipped through his hair as he focused, allowing adrenaline to course through his veins—he had to provoke the defenders into showing their strongest moves. “I won't let him score so easy,” the opponent growled at Rin, positioning himself for the challenge as he recognized the threat. “I’ll show you killer curves,” Rin muttered under his breath as he began the run-up, focusing on perfect accuracy. He let the ball fly with a vertical spinning direct shot, aimed expertly at the far right corner of the goal. The goalkeeper leaped with all his might, fingertips grazing the ball, but it was simply too perfectly struck. “Goal!” The stadium erupted in cheers, but for Rin, it was just another step toward dominance. “Good shot,” Igaguri found himself impressed despite his earlier insecurities. Although he admired Rin’s skill, he knew the match was far from done. “Let’s keep the momentum!” Rin barked, already plotting their next move. As Team B began their counterattack, the atmosphere shifted palpably. A tall, muscular forward named Kazuki, with a reputation for fierce strikes, received the ball. “You think you can keep up?” he challenged Rin, eyeing Igaguri, who stood nervously behind him. "I’ll show you what real strength looks like." Kazuki initiated an impressive display of footwork, dazzling the defenders with quick feints. But Rin was cunning; he read the play like a book, positioning himself just right to intercept. As Kazuki aimed for the goal, Rin swiftly struck, performing one of his signature moves—a line drive shot that crashed straight into Kazuki, who was sent sprawling to the ground. “What?!” Kazuki spat, rubbing his shoulder. “You can’t do that!” “Watch me,” Rin replied coldly, shrugging off the insult. The rough nature of the match fueled their intensity. Feeling increasingly determined, Igaguri called out, “Next time, Rin, let me help!” “Just stay back and don’t stall,” Rin shot back, not wanting to dilute his focus even for a second. As both teams pushed on, Igaguri tapped into his Flow State. With every turn of rhythm, he felt the game reel around him, allowing him to suddenly accelerate and weave through defenders with creativity. He ducked past one opponent before finding himself facing Kazuki again. “I won’t fall for your tricks!” Kazuki claimed, trying to swipe the ball. But it was too late; Igaguri had already completed his movement, drawing another foul. The whistle blew, and a red glare shot through the field. “What a pathetic dive,” Kazuki grumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. “A win’s a win,” Rin stated, crossing his arms with a smirk. Once more, Rin stepped up for the free kick, this time taking a moment to gauge the growing tension. Would the opponents react strongly? Would they overreach? His breath quickened as he initiated the Destroyer Flow, a presence swirling around him while pulling the defenders into premature moves. The moment he struck the ball again, it spun with dizzying precision, arcing perfectly into the air. “Incredible!” his teammates marveled as the ball collided with the net, clocking in another goal. “Goal!” Two-nothing and the match was rapidly becoming a massacre for Team B. Frustration swept through Kazuki; he charged at Rin, ready to confront him with a fierce tackle. The referee, however, was quick to intervene. “Foul!” he blared with authority, issuing Kazuki a yellow card for his reckless play. “Lock off, you’re not needed,” a snide voice echoed from Ego, disrespectfully looking down upon those who failed to keep momentum in their game. Kazuki seethed, glaring at Rin, feeling humiliated. “This isn’t over,” he hissed. As the game progressed, the clock ticking mercilessly away, Rin's demeanor grew increasingly focused while he observed the resolve falter in the opposing team. “We can’t let our guard down,” he instructed his teammates as they prepared for the impending offense. Igaguri sidled close to Rin. “What do you think will happen when they push back?” “They’ll have to be smart about it,” Rin replied, thinking ahead. “But it’s clear they’re panicking.” And just as he predicted, Team B’s frustration unleashed momentarily. They unleashed an all-out offensive, gaining possession of the ball again. A newcomer named Takumi, known for his unpredictable playstyle, rocketed toward the field, leaving Igarashi in his wake. “Not happening,” Rin maneuvered forward, shielding the ball and performing a perfect kick accuracy to counterattack. As the match devolved further, players collided with increasing intensity, fouls rang out left and right. “Ref, stop holding back!” Kazuki wailed, frustration evident. Igaguri tightened his jaw, feeling the stakes escalate. “Just a little longer," he thought, “Focus.”* The clock finally neared the end, and with another opportunity after yet another foul, Rin sighed. A mixed expression crossed his face as he set the ball for yet another free-kick. As he stood preparing for another shot, he spotted Igaguri. “Igaguri, let’s go! This is our moment!” Rin shouted, adrenaline spiking again. Nervously, yet determinedly, Igaguri took his position. This was his chance. With his signature dribble, he moved forth, faking out the remaining defenders, drawing them in. At the last moment, he executed a perfect pass to Rin, capturing the moment perfectly. “Let’s finish this!” Rin roared. With all the power he could muster, he let loose one last ‘Crash Shot!’ The ball sailed forward, crashing into the net as the whistle blew, finalizing the match in favor of Team A. “Goal!” The announcement rang throughout the arena, echoing Rins’s icy demeanor into a triumphant glare. Igaguri collapsed on the field, breathless but exhilarated. “We did it.” Yet the defeat weighed heavily on Team B. Kazuki, overcome by rage, slammed his fists on the ground in utter defeat, while Ego’s voice echoed throughout the silence: “Lock off, you’re not needed.” As Team B walked off the field, Rin watched, contemplating both victory and potential. “This is only the beginning,” he murmured, focusing on the next challenges ahead, as Igaguri joined him, brimming with newfound determination.